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The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) Welfare Award 2011, sponsored by The Blue Cross, has been presented to Brigadier Paul Jepson in recognition of his contributions to equine welfare, not only as a vet and previous chief executive of the Horse Trust but also as the driving force behind strategic plans for disease management and control in the UK.

The award, which was introduced by BEVA in conjunction with The Blue Cross animal welfare charity eleven years ago, is a formal recognition of significant contributions made by veterinary surgeons and others to equine welfare. It was presented to Paul Jepson at the 50th BEVA Annual Congress in Liverpool on Friday 9 September 2011, by Zair Berry Chairman of The Blue Cross.

Zair Berry said: "The time, effort and expertise that Brigadier Jepson has dedicated to the equine industry and horse welfare is truly admirable and makes him a very worthy recipient of this award. I have great pleasure in presenting it and offer many congratulations."

Paul Jepson Said: "I am thrilled to receive this award from The Blue Cross in recognition of my contributions to the health and welfare of horses. To have my name added to the prestigious list of former recipients is a great honour."

Brigadier Jepson was Chief Executive of the Home of Rest for Horses (now the Horse Trust), from 1997 to 2010, where he was both hands-on equine vet as well as guardian of the Trust's programme of funding cutting edge scientific research. He is the current chairman of a government and equine industry working party on African Horse Sickness that is seeking to ensure the UK is as prepared as possible to control an outbreak of the virus, which would cause similar devastation in the UK's equine population as Foot and Mouth caused for other livestock. Paul is also chairman of the committee responsible for delivery of the GB Equine Health and Welfare Strategy and a past Master of the Worshipful Company of Farriers.

The Blue Cross was founded in 1897 to care for working horses on the streets of London, and equine welfare still plays a vital role in its work today. The charity rehabilitates and rehomes over a hundred horses and ponies every year at its equine centres in Burford (Oxon) and Rolleston-on-Dove (Staffordshire).